Swedish Medal - Frederick I / Palace of Nobility by Johann Carl Hedlinger, 1731 Bronze, 75.2 mm Ø Obverse: Bust of Frederick I facing right, wearing armor, with Medusa head on chest and crowns on shoulder covering. Around, FRIDERICVS · D · G · REX · SVECIAE · (Frederick, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden). Below the epaulet, HEDLINGER · F · 1731 · (Hedlinger Made It, 1731). Reverse: View of the Palace of Nobility. Included are the planned, but never built, wings and terrace. In front of the terrace, various people walking, people mounted on horses, carriages, a sedan chair, and a dog are seen within the square. Behind the building is a river with ships, and clouds above. Around, CONSILIIS · ATQVE · ARMIS · (By the Counsel and Arms). In exergue, ORDO · EQVESTER · / REGNI · SVECIÆ (The Knightly Order of the Kingdom of Sweden). Born in 1676, Frederick I of Sweden reigned between 1720 and 1751. During his reign, Sweden improved economically and enjoyed a cultural revival inspired by Louis XIV's France. However, rendered mostly powerless by the Swedish constitution, Frederick would spend his time primarily in the pursuit of pleasures. This medal commemorates the building of the Riddarhuset (Palace of Nobility) in Stockholm, Sweden. Constructed between 1641 and 1674, the building was designed by Simon de la Vallée, his son Jean, Heinrich Wilhelm, and Joost Vingboons. The reverse shows the building with the projected wings, terrace, and stairway down to the square; however, only the main building was ever built. The reverse design is taken from an engraving by Jean Le Pautre after drawings by Erik Dahlberg. The reverse inscription is taken partially from the inscription along the entablature of the building. The engraver Johann Carl Hedlinger was born in Switzerland and received his initial training in die cutting at the Lucerne mint. In 1717, he traveled to France, where he first trained under Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain in Nancy for two months, and then under the sculptor Charles Antoine Coysevox in Paris. He was appointed to the Swedish court in 1718, but would later travel extensively in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Saint Petersburg, and Berlin. His output was prolific, numbering some 173 medals, in addition to other works, including coins, tokens, and seals. In his introduction to the book European Medals in the Chazen Museum of Art, Stephen K. Scher notes that Hedlinger "dedicated his services to the Swedish court, and although somewhat dry in execution, his medals are nonetheless among the best produced in the eighteenth century." In the National Gallery of Art systematic catalogue of medals, it is noted that "Hedlinger produced the most beautiful medals in the style of the French baroque medal that dominated the Europe of his day, but his work far surpassed his mentors in Paris."
It's a very nice medal. Thanks for the historical background on the medalist, Hedlinger. It's also interesting to note that Hedlinger taught numerous artists of note, but never headed his own school. Chris
